Take action to support the Galesburg School Librarians

Support Galesburg School Librarians

The Galesburg School District in Illinois is eliminating 7 of the 8 library positions in the district. Take action now!

In Illinois, the Galesburg School District’s administration recently proposed cutting 7 of the 8 librarians for next year in order to save money. This short sighted proposal would mean that there is only one remaining school librarian who would serve as the District Librarian and would be stationed at the high school. Even worse, only 1 of their 4 blocks would be dedicated to library work. This means that the District Librarian would only have 1/4 of their day to maintain the entire collection for the whole district. The district is comprised of 4,500 students in 5 elementary schools, 2 junior highs, and 1 high school. The other 7 school libraries will be staffed with aides who will be tasked to check books in and out to students and complete a yearly inventory.

The board is expected to meet Jan. 25, to vote on the list of budget reductions at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at Lincoln Education Center, 932 Harrison St. Galesburg, IL 61401

Ironically, the state board recently heard from dozens of people across Galesburg about the importance and impact that school librarians have on student achievement. This occurred when the Illinois State Board of Education visited Galesburg to get community feedback about ESSA, the Every Student Succeeds Act which allows provisions for funding for school librarians.

At EveryLibrary, we are committed to ensuring that schools are well equipped to train students in information literacy that can only be provided by credentialed school librarians. We know that school librarians are on the front lines of librarianship. For many young minds they are the first contact with both librarians and libraries and provide the kinds of opportunities for imaginative exploration that libraries freely and democratically provide through their books, programs, and services. Children are allowed to explore literature and new ideas freely in school libraries while also developing a love of reading and strong skills in literacy that will help them throughout their life.

We spend hundreds of dollars a week on these petitions and political action to support libraries. Please help us continue this work with a $5-10 a month donation.

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In Illinois, the Galesburg School District’s administration recently proposed cutting 7 of the 8 librarians for next year in order to save money. This short sighted proposal would mean that there is only one remaining school librarian who would serve as the District Librarian and would be stationed at the high school. Even worse, only 1 of their 4 blocks would be dedicated to library work. This means that the District Librarian would only have 1/4 of their day to maintain the entire collection for the whole district. The district is comprised of 4,500 students in 5 elementary schools, 2 junior highs, and 1 high school. The other 7 school libraries will be staffed with aides who will be tasked to check books in and out to students and complete a yearly inventory.

The board is expected to meet Jan. 25, to vote on the list of budget reductions at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at Lincoln Education Center, 932 Harrison St. Galesburg, IL 61401

Ironically, the state board recently heard from dozens of people across Galesburg about the importance and impact that school librarians have on student achievement. This occurred when the Illinois State Board of Education visited Galesburg to get community feedback about ESSA, the Every Student Succeeds Act which allows provisions for funding for school librarians.

At EveryLibrary, we are committed to ensuring that schools are well equipped to train students in information literacy that can only be provided by credentialed school librarians. We know that school librarians are on the front lines of librarianship. For many young minds they are the first contact with both librarians and libraries and provide the kinds of opportunities for imaginative exploration that libraries freely and democratically provide through their books, programs, and services. Children are allowed to explore literature and new ideas freely in school libraries while also developing a love of reading and strong skills in literacy that will help them throughout their life.

We spend hundreds of dollars a week on these petitions and political action to support libraries. Please help us continue this work with a $5-10 a month donation.